EP3002358A1 - Connecting device and water-bearing household device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device (16) for connecting a connecting piece (15) of a line or a container (14) to a container wall (6) of a container (2) of a water-conducting domestic appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher, with an annular base body ( 19) having a thread (20) adapted to positively engage a mating thread (21) of the spud (15) and at least one spring element (26) adapted to face the annular base body (19) the container wall (6) spring biased.

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting device and a water-conducting household appliance.

A dishwasher usually has a washing container for receiving items to be washed and a water softening system for softening fresh water. A housing of the water softening system can be attached by means of a threaded ring to the washing. For this purpose, an external thread can be provided on the connecting flange and a corresponding internal thread on the threaded ring. The DE 10 2011 006 791 A1 describes such a threaded ring.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection device.

Accordingly, a connecting device for connecting a connecting piece of a line or a container with a container wall of a container of a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a dishwasher proposed. The connecting device comprises an annular base body, which has a thread which is adapted to positively engage in a mating thread of the connecting piece, and at least one spring element, which is adapted to spring-bias the annular base body relative to the container wall.

With the aid of the at least one spring element, the tightening torque for tightening the connecting device can be converted into a defined and always maintained axial force. Similar to a Dehnschraubenverbindung stored in the screw deformation work is increased. With the help of the at least one spring element, a reliable connection between the connecting device and the connecting piece over the entire life of the water-conducting household appliance can be maintained. Leaks between the connection piece and the container wall are thereby prevented. In particular, the spring element is adapted to spring-bias the annular base body with respect to a bottom of the container. Preferably, the thread provided on the annular base body is an internal thread. Furthermore, the counter-thread provided on the connecting piece is preferably an external thread. In an alternative embodiment of the connecting device, the thread provided on the annular base body is an external thread and the counter thread provided on the connecting piece is an internal thread.

According to one embodiment, the at least one spring element is formed integrally with the annular base body.

Preferably, the at least one spring element is integral with the annular base body. The connecting device can be made for example of a metal material or a plastic material. For example, the connecting device may be a plastic injection-molded component. For example, a talc-filled polypropylene material can be used as the material. Alternatively, the spring element may also be a separate component.

According to a further embodiment, the connecting device has a plurality of spring elements which are distributed uniformly around a circumference of the annular base body.

Preferably, the connecting device has at least four spring elements which are distributed uniformly around the circumference of the annular base body. The number of spring elements is arbitrary. For example, the connecting device may also have twelve such spring elements. By varying the number of spring elements, the spring preload can be set arbitrarily. Alternatively, the spring elements can also be distributed unevenly around the circumference of the annular base body.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has an abutment portion which is adapted to abut against the container wall.

The contact section can be curved or flat. In particular, when the connecting device is mounted, the contact section can be deformed in such a way that it bears flat against the container wall.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element projects beyond an underside of the annular base body in an unmounted state of the connecting device.

This ensures during assembly of the connecting device that the spring element is deformed.

According to a further embodiment, a stiffening rib running around the annular base body is arranged on an upper side of the annular base body.

As a result, the torsional stiffness of the connecting device is increased. In particular, the annular stiffening rib is integrally formed with the annular base body. The annular base body is preferably formed rotationally symmetrical with respect to a symmetry or central axis.

According to a further embodiment, radial reinforcing ribs extending radially out of the annular reinforcing rib are provided on the upper side of the annular base body.

The number of radial stiffening ribs is arbitrary. For example, twenty-four radial stiffening ribs are provided. In particular, the radial stiffening ribs are distributed uniformly over the circumference of the annular base body. Preferably, the annular base body has a polygonal geometry. For example, the annular base body may have a dodecagonal geometry. As a result, the connecting device can be gripped for assembly by means of a tool, such as a fork wrench.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has a leaf spring section which can be arranged parallel to the container wall.

The leaf spring portion may be flat. The contact portion may also be formed as a leaf spring portion.

According to another embodiment, the leaf spring portion is bent.

As a result, a higher spring preload can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has a plurality of leaf spring sections which are connected to one another.

In particular, the leaf spring sections can be connected to each other by means of connecting webs. Preferably, the leaf spring portions and the connecting webs are material integral. The connecting webs preferably run in the direction of the central or symmetrical axis of the annular base body.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has two curved spring arms arranged adjacent to one another.

Preferably, the spring arms are S- or Ω-shaped curved. The spring arms can be connected to each other by means of the contact section.

According to a further embodiment, the spring arms are connected to each other by means of a connecting web.

The connecting web is preferably arranged parallel to the contact section. In particular, the spring arms can be connected to each other simultaneously by means of the connecting web and the contact portion.

Furthermore, a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, with a line or a container, a container and such a connecting device for connecting a connecting piece of the line or the container with a container wall of the container is proposed.

The line can be, for example, a water pipe or a rinsing water pipe.

According to one embodiment, the container is a housing of a water softening system and the container is a washing container of the water-conducting household appliance.

In the water softening system, for example, a salt solution can be added. The housing of the water softening system can be made of a plastic material.

According to a further embodiment, a sealing device, in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the container wall and the connecting piece.

As a result, the tightness between the connection piece and the container wall is always guaranteed.

Further possible implementations of the connection device and / or the water-conducting domestic appliance also include combinations of previously described features or embodiments that have not been explicitly mentioned above or described below with respect to the exemplary embodiments. In this case, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the connection device and / or the water-conducting domestic appliance.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines wasserführenden Haushaltsgeräts;
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine weitere schematische perspektivische Ansicht des wasserführenden Haushaltsgeräts gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine schematische Schnittansicht des wasserführenden Haushaltsgeräts gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine weitere schematische Vorderansicht der Verbindungseinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht der Verbindungseinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 4;
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine schematische Schnittansicht der Verbindungseinrichtung gemäß der Schnittlinie VII - VII der Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 9 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 10 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1; und
• Fig. 11 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the connecting device and / or the water-conducting household appliance are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the connecting device described below and / or the water-conducting household appliance. Furthermore, the connecting device and / or the water-conducting domestic appliance will be explained in more detail on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

• Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a water-conducting household appliance;
• Fig. 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the water-conducting household appliance according to the Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the water-conducting household appliance according to the Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 4 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to the Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 5 shows a further schematic front view of the connecting device according to the Fig. 4 ;
• Fig. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the connecting device according to the Fig. 4 ;
• Fig. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the connecting device according to the section line VII - VII of Fig. 6 ;
• Fig. 8 shows a schematic front view of another embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to the Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 9 shows a schematic front view of another embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to the Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 10 shows a schematic front view of another embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to the Fig. 1 ; and
• Fig. 11 shows a schematic front view of another embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to the Fig. 1 ,

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise.

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a water-conducting household appliance 1. The household appliance 1 may be a dishwasher, a washing machine or the like. The household appliance 1 has a container 2, which is closed by a door 3, in particular waterproof. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the container 2. The container 2 may be a washing container of a dishwasher. The container 2 is preferably cuboid. In particular, the container 2 may be made of a steel sheet. Alternatively, the container 2 may be at least partially made of a plastic material. Of the Container 2 and the door 3 can form a rinsing chamber 4 for rinsing dishes. The container 2 may be arranged inside a housing of the household appliance 1. The door 3 is in the Fig. 1 shown in their open position. By pivoting about a provided at a lower end of the door 3 pivot axis 5, the door 3 can be closed or opened.

The container 2 has a container wall 6 with a bottom 7, a cover 7 arranged opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the ceiling 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 may for example be made of a stainless steel sheet. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 may be made of a plastic material.

The household appliance 1 furthermore has at least one washware receptacle 12. In particular, a plurality of Spülgutaufnahmen 12 may be provided, each one of the multiple Spülgutaufnahmen 12 is a lower basket, an upper basket or a cutlery drawer of the household appliance 1. The plurality of Spülgutaufnahmen 12 are preferably arranged one above the other in the container 2. Each Spülgutaufnahme 12 is optionally in the container 2 into or out of this displaced. In particular, each Spülgutaufnahme 12 hineinschiebbar in an insertion direction E in the container 2 and opposite to the insertion direction E in an extension direction A from the container 2 can be pulled out.

The Fig. 2 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the household appliance 1. The container 2 is arranged on a base support 13. The base support 13 may be, for example, a plastic injection molded component. The household appliance 1 also has a container 14 arranged under the container 2. The container 14 may be a housing of a water softening system of the household appliance 1. The container 14 is preferably made of a plastic material. The container 14 is arranged in particular under the bottom 7. The container 14 may for example be filled with a saline solution.

The container 14 has a connecting piece 15, onto which a connecting device 16 for connecting the connection piece 15 of the container 14 to the container wall 6 of the container 2 of the household appliance 1 can be screwed. The connecting piece 15 may continue to be provided on any water-carrying or rinsing liquor leading line. In this case, the line can be connected by means of the connecting device 16 with the container wall 6.

The Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through the connecting piece 15 and the connecting device 16. Between the container wall 6 and in particular the bottom 7 and the connecting piece 15, a sealing device 17 may be provided. The sealing device 17 may be, for example, an O-ring. The sealing device 17 is arranged in a circumferential groove 18 surrounding the connecting piece 15. The connecting device 16 has an annular base body 19, which comprises a thread 20 on. The thread 20 is preferably an internal thread. The thread 20 is adapted to engage positively in a corresponding mating thread 21 of the connecting piece 15. The mating thread 21 is preferably an external thread. In an alternative embodiment of the connecting device 16, the thread 20 provided on the annular base body 19 is an external thread and the counter thread 21 provided on the connecting piece 15 is an internal thread.

The Fig. 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of the connecting device 16. Die Fig. 5 shows a further front view of the connecting device 16. Die Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the connecting device 16 and the Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the connecting device 16 according to the section line VII - VII of Fig. 6 , The following is on the Fig. 4 to 7 simultaneously referred to.

The annular base body 19 is rotationally symmetrical to a symmetrical or central axis 22. On an upper side 23 of the annular base body 19, an annular stiffening rib 24 running around the annular base body 19 is provided. The thread 20 may extend into the stiffening rib 24. On the upper side 23 of the annular base body 19 are further radially extending from the annular stiffening rib 24 extending radial stiffening ribs 25 are provided. In the Fig. 4 to 7 is in each case only one radial stiffening rib 25 provided with a reference numeral. The number of radial stiffening ribs 25 is arbitrary. Preferably, the radial stiffening ribs 25 are arranged uniformly distributed over a circumference u _{19 of} the annular base body 19. The radial stiffening ribs 25 are preferably material integral with the annular stiffening rib 24 and the annular one Base body 19 is formed. In particular, the connecting device 16 is made of one piece of material. The connecting device 16 may be made of a plastic material or a metal material. For example, the connecting device 16 may be a plastic injection-molded component. Preferably, the connecting device 16 is made of an elastically deformable plastic material. For example, the connecting device 16 may be made of talc-filled polypropylene material.

The annular base body 19 may have a polygonal outer geometry. For example, the annular base body 19, as in the Fig. 6 shown to have a dodecagonal outer geometry. As a result, the connecting device 16 can be gripped for mounting with a tool having a defined wrench size SW.

The connecting device 16 has at least one spring element 26 which is adapted to spring-bias the annular base body 19 relative to the container wall 6. Preferably, the at least one spring element 26 is formed integrally with the annular base body 19. Preferably, a plurality of spring elements 26 is provided which are distributed uniformly around the circumference u _{19 of} the annular base body 19. In the in the Fig. 4 to 7 shown embodiment of the connecting device 16 has these four spring elements 26 which are distributed uniformly around the circumference u _{19 of} the annular base body.

The at least one spring element 26 has an abutment portion 27, which is adapted to abut the container wall 6. The contact portion 27 can, as in the Fig. 4 . 5 and 7 shown to have a convex curvature. That is, the abutment portion 27 extends beyond a lower edge or lower surface 28 of the annular base body 19 (FIG. Fig. 7 ). As the Fig. 4 shows, between two juxtaposed spring elements 26, a connecting portion 29 connecting them is provided. The connecting portion 29 is a cylindrical wall, the lower edge or bottom 30 is formed flush with the bottom 28 of the annular base body 19. When mounting the connecting device 16, the abutment portions 27 are deformed such that they rest flush against the container wall 6 and in particular on the bottom 7.

In the in the Fig. 4 to 7 shown unassembled state of the connecting device 16 protrudes the at least one spring element 26, and in particular the abutment portion 27, beyond the bottom 28 of the annular base body 19 also. The at least one spring element 26 has at least one leaf spring section 31. Preferably, a plurality of juxtaposed leaf spring portions 31 are provided. The contact portion 27 may also be formed as a leaf spring portion. In the Fig. 4 . 5 and 7 each only one leaf spring portion 31 is provided with a reference numeral. Preferably, the at least one spring element 26 has a plurality of leaf spring sections 31, which are connected to one another by means of connecting webs 32 to 34. The connecting webs 32 to 34 extend in the direction of the central axis 22.

The Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 8 differs from the connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 4 to 7 merely in that, instead of four spring elements 26, a multiplicity of adjacently arranged spring elements 26 are provided, which are distributed uniformly over the circumference u _{19 of} the annular base body 19.

The Fig. 9 shows a further schematic side view of an embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 9 differs from the connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 8 only in that the leaf spring portions 31 are not bent but straight. In particular, the leaf spring portions 31 and the abutment portions 27 are positioned parallel to the lower surface 28 of the annular base body 19.

The Fig. 10 shows a further schematic side view of an embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 10 differs from the embodiment of the connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 8 and 9 in that the at least one spring element 26 has no leaf spring sections 31. Instead, the at least one spring element 26 has two curved spring arms 35, 36 arranged adjacent to one another. The spring arms 35, 36 may be S-shaped or Ω-shaped. The spring arms 35, 36 are connected to each other by means of the contact section 27.

The Fig. 11 shows a further schematic side view of an embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 11 differs from the connecting device 16 according to the Fig. 10 only in that the spring arms 35, 36 are connected to each other by means of a connecting web 37. In particular, the spring arms 35, 36 are connected to each other with the aid of the contact section 27 and the connecting web 37. The connecting web 37 extends parallel to the abutment portion 27.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it is variously modifiable.

Used reference signs:

1

household appliance

2

container

3

door

4

rinsing chamber

5

swivel axis

6

container

7

ground

8th

blanket

9

rear wall

10

Side wall

11

Side wall

12

Spülgutaufnahme

13

base support

14

container

15

spigot

16

connecting device

17

sealing device

18

ring groove

19

base body

20

thread

21

mating thread

22

central axis

23

top

24

stiffening rib

25

stiffening rib

26

spring element

27

contact section

28

bottom

29

connecting portion

30

bottom

31

Leaf spring portion

32

connecting web

33

connecting web

34

connecting web

35

spring arm

36

spring arm

37

connecting web

A

extraction direction

e

insertion direction

SW

Key-width

u ₁₉

scope

Claims (15)

Connecting device (16) for connecting a connecting piece (15) of a conduit or a container (14) with a container wall (6) of a container (2) of a water-conducting household appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher, with an annular base body (19) a thread (20) which is adapted to positively engage in a mating thread (21) of the connecting piece (15), and at least one spring element (26) which is adapted to the annular base body (19) relative to the container wall (6 ) spring-biased. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one spring element (26) is formed integrally with the annular base body (19). Connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a plurality of spring elements (26) which are arranged uniformly around a circumference (U ₁₉₎ of the annular base body (19) is distributed. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the at least one spring element (26) has an abutment portion (27) which is adapted to abut the container wall (6). Connecting device according to one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the at least one spring element (26) protrudes in an unmounted state of the connecting means (16) via a bottom (28) of the annular base body (19). Connecting device according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that on an upper side (23) of the annular base body (19) surrounding the annular base body (19) encircling annular stiffening rib (24) is arranged. Connecting device according to claim 6, characterized in that on the upper side (23) of the annular base body (19) radially extending from the annular stiffening rib (24) extending radial stiffening ribs (25) are provided. Connecting device according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the at least one spring element (26) has a leaf spring portion (31) which can be arranged parallel to the container wall (6). Connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that the leaf spring portion (31) is bent. Having connection means according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least one spring element (26) a plurality of leaf spring segments (31) which are connected to each other. Connecting device according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the at least one spring element (26) has two adjacent mutually arranged curved spring arms (35, 36). Connecting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the spring arms (35, 36) by means of a connecting web (37) are interconnected. Water-conducting household appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher, with a line or a container (14), a container (2) and a connecting device (16) according to one of claims 1 - 12 for connecting a connecting piece (15) of the line or container ( 14) with a container wall (6) of the container (2). Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 13, characterized in that the container (14) is a housing of a water softening system and the container (2) is a washing container of the water-conducting household appliance (1). Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that between the container wall (6) and the connecting piece (15) a sealing device (17), in particular an O-ring, is arranged.

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